Masterplan to transform Gippsland infrastructure

FEDERAL Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories the Hon Kristy McBain was formally presented with the Gippsland Freight Infrastructure Master Plan at its official launch in Morwell earlier this month. 

The Gippsland Freight Infrastructure Master Plan (GFIMP) offers a roadmap to strengthen infrastructure of the region’s roads, rail, air and seaports, which in turn will bolster the future of Gippsland’s economy. 

The 2023 GFIMP is a refresh of the 2013 edition which was born out of a partnership between The Committee for Gippsland (C4G) and Regional Development Australia Gippsland Committee (RDA Gippsland).

GFIMP identifies a total of 34 priorities developed with industry feedback, including 30 infrastructure type projects and four supporting initiatives and strategies. 

There are five high priority projects identified for South Gippsland. 

These projects cover, township congestion, major works projects on arterial roads, arterial road upgrades and infrastructure for rail and air opportunities. 

These projects require a combination of either advocacy for funding or funding to appropriate industry body to further develop a strategy, and planning for, or progress of projects which have commenced or require upgrading. 

These include: 

•    The planning and delivery of stage two is needed for the Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Bypass as it is increasingly becoming a point of delay and the impacts on the township are worsening. 

•    The South Gippsland Highway duplication, which would see a dual carriageway developed between Lang Lang and Leongatha to provide better access to the Ports of Melbourne and Hastings from food processing manufacturers in South Gippsland and support the emerging /booming extractive industries. 

•    The South Gippsland Highway, east of Bairnsdale, would benefit from additional overtaking lanes and realignment of heavily curved sections together with continued improvements.  

•    The Gippsland Railway Line would get additional turn outs and sidings, to manage the increased line (single gauge) demand that will support freight. 

•    A third international airport in Gippsland, to create Gippsland-centric opportunities in the food and manufacturing industries via air freight, and the decentralisation of congestion through Melbourne and growth away from Melbourne.  

GFIMP have identified other important arterial road upgrades projects that require a commitment and advocacy for long-term funding and or planning for continual upgrades to bring these roads or sections of roads to a higher standard. 

This may include passing lanes, realignments, widen shoulders, tree clearing, and safety works. 

The Loch/Wonthaggi Road to Bass Highway needs improvement to address congestion through Wonthaggi CBD, as it provides an alternate heavy vehicle route around Wonthaggi.  

The Strzelecki Highway, north east of Leongatha is the principal connection between Gippsland’s two main sub-regions of South Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley and requires improvements. 

The Warragul/Korumburra freight corridor provides a link between north and south for many agricultural businesses and services and the potential for future extractive industry opportunities, and requires improvement for greater efficiency.

The Phillip Island Road corridor requires further upgrades, including intersections and duplications to manage major congestion issues.  

The Bass Highway (Anderson to Leongatha) connects Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Leongatha and is a single lane, undivided highway with no overtaking lanes for more than 50km and services the local agriculture, commercial and tourism industry and requires upgrades. 

Further rail, sea and port freight development and opportunities have been identified. 

Funding is needed for a feasibility study into a Gippsland line freight terminal (located to the east of Melbourne) which can transfer freight from truck to rail for the passage through Melbourne to the Port of Melbourne.

Port Welshpool is currently used for stock transfer and facilities need to be improved and maintained via advocacy and a commitment to funding.